Cholera: Causes, Vibrio cholerae and WHO Facts

 

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

It is primarily transmitted through consumption of food or water contaminated with faecal matter.

Major Symptoms

  • Severe watery diarrhoea.

  • Vomiting.

  • Rapid dehydration.

  • Weakness.

  • Leg cramps.

  • Severe cases can lead to death within hours if untreated.

Incubation Period

Symptoms may develop between approximately 12 hours and 5 days after consuming contaminated food or water.

Important Serogroups

Only two serogroups are known to cause cholera outbreaks:

  • O1

  • O139

Recent outbreaks have predominantly involved O1.

Prevention

  • Safe drinking water.

  • Proper sanitation.

  • Handwashing.

  • Food hygiene.

  • Surveillance.

  • Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV).

Treatment

The most important immediate treatment is rapid rehydration, particularly with ORS. Severe cases may require intravenous fluids and antibiotics.

Key Pointers

  • Causative organism → Vibrio cholerae

  • Transmission → Feco-oral route.

  • Classic stool → Rice-water stool

  • Major danger → Severe dehydration.

  • Prevention → WASH.

  • Vaccination → Oral Cholera Vaccine.

  • Serogroups → O1 and O139.

  • Current seventh pandemic began in South Asia in 1961.

Explanation: All four statements are correct. Cholera is a water- and food-borne bacterial infection in which rapid fluid loss and dehydration can become fatal without prompt treatment.